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CCMS Mission:
Serve the needs of our physician members so they can better serve the needs of the community
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In this Issue
News Briefs, Member Notices, Events, Member Spotlights, Decision to Cease Fluoridation of Naples Drinking Water
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News Briefs
After a long lull, Covid-19 levels are surging in the US: “After a relatively slow start to the respiratory virus season, Covid-19 levels in the United States began ramping up just ahead of the winter holidays.” - CNN
Inside the final 2025 Medicare physician payment schedule: “The AMA strongly urged Congress to stop the 2.83% cut included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 2025 Medicare physician payment schedule, but Capitol Hill again failed to do so—marking the fifth straight year of cuts.” - AMA
Florida Physician Workforce - 2024 Annual Report: “Responses to the physician survey (…) (provide) insight regarding the composition of Florida’s physician workforce and looming potential changes (...).” - FL DOH
Here are some big legal issues related to health care we'll be following in 2025: “Look for decisions regarding Medicaid eligibility, gender-affirming care, lab-grown meat and more to make headlines in the months ahead.” - Health News Florida
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Win a Tickets Package to the Big Game in the Big Easy and Support the Foundation of CCMS
Enter this Tix for Good virtual sweepstakes to benefit the Foundation of Collier County Medical Society.
Package includes:
2 Passes to Mike Ditka’s VIP Cigar Party (co-hosted by Ron Jaworski) on Thursday, February 6th
2 Passes to the NFL Experience on Friday, February 7th, or Saturday, February 8th.
2 Tickets to The Big Game (Terrace Upper Level, End Zone Corner) - Watch the biggest game of the year live on Sunday, February 9th, with these amazing seats offering a prime view of all the action !
Entry Deadline: 11:59pm 1/12/2025
Winner Selected: 10:00am 1/13/2025
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Call for Nominations: CCMS 2025 Physician Awards
Collier County Medical Society invites its physician members to submit nominations for the 2025 CCMS Physician of the Year and CCMS Lifetime Achievement Awards. These awards honor CCMS member physicians who deserve special recognition for their services.
Please complete the nomination form, noting explicitly why the nominee is deserving of the award. Forms can be mailed, faxed, or emailed to CCMS along with any supporting documentation such as supporting letters, CVs, or news articles. Deadline for entries is February 28, 2025.
More info & Nomination Form >
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Physician Wellness Program
Resource of the week:
CCMS Physician Wellness Program: New Year Mental Health "Check-up Session"
CCMS Invites all members to start the new year with a "Mental Wellness Check-up Session" through their Physician Wellness Program. Members can access 1 to 6 confidential, cost-free sessions annually with independent, doctorate-level clinical psychologists to support personal and professional well-being. Use sessions for a mental wellness self-assessment, time management tips, communication skills, or simply to talk. To schedule, call the psychologists’ private line at (239) 208-3984. Learn more at ccmsonline.org, by calling CCMS at (239) 435-7727, or by emailing info@ccmsonline.org.
Learn more / Schedule a session >
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CCMS Women Physicians Winter Social
Sat., Jan., 11, 6:00PM, CCMS member home
Celebrate the New Year with your women physician colleagues for an evening of camaraderie & refreshments at a CCMS member home. Free for CCMS women physician members & prospective women physician members. Sponsored by Naples Aesthetic Institute.
Register >
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CCMS After 5 Social
Fri., Jan., 24, 6:00PM, Blue Martini
Network with colleagues while enjoying refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. Open to CCMS physician members, prospective members, and one guest each. Sponsored by Family Foot & Leg Center.
Register >
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CCMS Great Wolf Lodge Family Day
Sat., Feb 1, 10:00AM, Great Wolf Lodge Naples
Join CCMS for a day of fun with your family and friends. Admission is $55/person and includes a water park pass, lunch, and parking. Open to CCMS members and their guests; children welcomed. Register by 9am on Jan. 27. Co-sponsored by Advocate Radiation Oncology and CARE Risk Retention Group.
Register >
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*NOTE: EVENT CORRECTION
CCMS After 5 Social
Thurs., Feb., 20, 6:00PM
*Editor's Note: Stay tuned for new date for After 5 Social at Florida Cancer Specialists, and kindly disregard email that was sent Jan. 8th regarding this event. We are working to confirm a new location for a social on Feb. 20.
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*Save the Date for more CCMS Events: Apr. 5 - CCMS Women’s Health Forum | May 3 - South Florida Women Physicians Retreat
Partner Events
Click here for information on CME courses online
NCH Grand Rounds (Topics Vary) | In-person or Livestream
Thursdays, 7:30-8:30AM, NCH Baker Hospital (Downtown), Classroom #3 Telford Bldg
To livestream, contact CME office at (239) 624-2795. 1 CME Credit each. Complimentary to all physicians. No RSVP required. January Grand Rounds
State-mandated CME Restream
Fri., Jan. 17, 9:00AM
This restream includes state-mandated CME courses to help physicians maintain their Florida medical licenses and address key issues affecting physicians in the Sunshine State. 7 CME Credits. Cost: FMA Members Free | Non FMA Members $450. All registrants will have access to the recordings until midnight on Jan. 27. (Register no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 17 to receive extended access).
Register >
Living Longer Lecture Series: NCH Healthcare System "Advancements in Orthopedics"
January 27, 5PM, Arthrex
Event will showcase advancements in orthopedic care coming to Naples through the NCH partnership with the Hospital for Special Surgery. This event, in conjunction with ProScan Imaging, will feature a panel of experts including CCMS Members Drs. Stephen Pomeranz and Betsy Brothers. Cost: $50.
Register >
4th Annual Naples Cardio Summit “Advances in Cardiology for Primary Care”
Feb. 21-22, 2025, Arthrex One Conference Center
Two-day summit featuring advancements in the field of cardiovascular healthcare. 13 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Exclusive pricing available until 12/31.
Register >
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CCMS Member Spotlights
Email your news to CCMS to be included in the next issue
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Congratulations to Drs. Sharla Gayle Patterson, Debra Shepard and Viktoria Totoraitis who will be honored at the Women's Foundation/NCH “A Seat at the Table” fundraising event for their excellence and contributions in medicine. | |
Editorial: The Decision to Cease Fluoridation of Naples Drinking Water
James V. Talano, MD, MBA, FACC
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In February 2024, the Collier County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to discontinue the addition of fluoride to the county’s public water supply, a practice that had been in place since 1985. The decision, driven by concerns over “health freedom” and individual choice, has sparked considerable debate within the community. This past December, the City of Naples with a 4-3 vote decided to do the same.
The fluoridation of public drinking water began in the mid-20th century as a public health initiative to combat tooth decay. Since its inception, the practice has been celebrated as a breakthrough in preventive health but also criticized for potential risks. As a resident and medical professional in Naples, Florida, I fully agree in the importance of reassessing the relevance of this policy in light of modern scientific, ethical, and societal considerations. I would argue however that any change in policy must include a comprehensive plan to measure its impacts on public health and community well-being.
As Collier County moves forward, it is critical to monitor the effects of this decision on dental health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations. Evidence from other regions suggests that removing fluoride can lead to increased rates of cavities and dental decay, disproportionately impacting children and low-income residents. A robust plan to measure these impacts and implement alternative fluoride strategies, if needed, will be essential to ensure public health goals
are met.
Read more >
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Continuum Surgery Centers is inviting surgeons of multi-specialties to credential and join their team in Naples. Expected opening is Spring 2025 with 4 operating rooms & 1 procedure room. They would like to schedule some time to discuss the opportunities to credential and be an equity partner in the ASC. Please contact Marisa at (561) 789-8435. | |
NCH seeks part-time IM Physician for their Academic Internal Medicine clinic. This role provides Supervision and teaching to IM residents 3 half days/week in a primary care setting. Must be board-certified with 3 years outpatient clinical experience. Responsibilities include resident supervision, teaching, mentorship, QI projects, and evaluations. For details, and to inquire about the application process, contact Karla Alvarez at (239) 624-4016. | |
Full-Time Medical Biller Needed: Dr. Christine Forszpaniak's office is seeking a full-time medical biller. For more information, please contact Olga at (239) 434-7779. | |
Are you an internist or family practice physician tired of working exhausting hours for someone else? What if you could do just as well with only 200 patients, spending one to two hours with each patient per visit, and being paid upfront for the year? Unique opportunity: Concierge practice for sale with a loyal patient base. Serious inquiries only. Contact: MedPracticeSale2024@yahoo.com. | |
Bonita Springs, FL Medical spa for sale. Successful medspa opened in 2008, owner has practiced in area since 2002. Owner willing to stay during transition. Contact CCMS for more info. | |
CCMS Circle of Friends Preferred Vendors
Featuring benefits for CCMS members Learn more
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COLLIER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
(239) 435-7727 | Email | Web
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